Downsizing in Rutherford: Planning Your Next Chapter at Your Own Pace

Today is Remembrance Day. At 11 a.m., Canadians across the country pause for two minutes of silence to honour the men and women who have served, and who continue to serve, Canada in times of war, conflict and peace. I'll be taking that pause too. To every Veteran and every family that has served: thank you. We remember.

When you're ready, let's talk about something a lot of families across Edmonton are thinking about: downsizing.

Here's the short answer up front. Downsizing goes best when you take it in three parts: sort your things, pick the right next home, then time the sale. And you get to set the pace. There's no rush.

Part 1: Sort Your Things, One Room at a Time

This is the part most people dread, and honestly, it's often the emotional part. Years of memories live in those closets.

Try the three-box method:

• Keep: things you use, love and have room for in your next home.
• Gift: pieces your kids, grandkids or friends would treasure. Ask them now, while you can share the story behind each one.
• Let Go: donate, sell or recycle.

A few tips that make it easier:

• Start with the room you use least, like the basement or a spare bedroom. Leave photos and keepsakes for last.
• Give yourself short sessions. An hour at a time is plenty.
• Measure your next space before you decide on big furniture.

For the Let Go box, the City of Edmonton has a free online Reuse Directory that lists places to donate, consign or repair items. Check first that a place takes what you have, and only drop off clean items in good shape.

Part 2: Pick the Right Next Home

Downsizing doesn't have to mean "small." It means right-sized. Here are the most common options I talk through with downsizers:

Bungalow. Main-floor living, often with a yard you can still enjoy. You'll still handle the upkeep, the snow and the roof, but you keep your independence and your own space.

Condo apartment. Less upkeep, since a condo corporation handles shared repairs and the building. You pay monthly condo fees (Alberta calls them contributions), and the bylaws set rules for things like pets and parking.

Townhouse. A middle ground. Some are part of a condo corporation and some aren't, so always ask.

If you're looking at a condo or a townhouse in a condo complex, read the condo documents before you buy. In Alberta, you can ask for things like the bylaws, the budget, the reserve fund study and meeting minutes. My Summerside condo post walks through the questions to ask.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do I want stairs, or main-floor living?
• How much outdoor space do I really use?
• How close do I want to be to family, my doctor, my place of worship or my favourite shops?
• How much monthly cost feels comfortable, including fees, taxes and utilities?

Part 3: Time Your Sale

This is where a plan really helps. You can sell first, buy first, or try to line up both. Each has trade-offs:

• Sell first: you know exactly what you're working with before you buy. But you may need a short stay somewhere in between.
• Buy first: you can take your time moving. But you may carry two homes for a while.
• Line them up: in Alberta, an offer can be made conditional on the sale of your current home. Sellers don't always accept that, so it depends on the market and the home.

The money side of buying before you sell, like bridge financing, is something to go over with your lender or mortgage broker. I'll be writing about buying and selling at the same time in December.

Why Rutherford Comes Up for Downsizers

Rutherford is in the Heritage Valley area of southwest Edmonton, between Ellerslie Road and 25 Avenue SW, and between 111 Street and 119/127 Streets. The City planned it with a mix of low and medium-density housing, with multi-family homes placed near natural areas, shops, institutions and transit. There are smaller parks throughout, including the Virginia Park Woodland, and a pathway corridor that runs the length of the neighbourhood.

A bit of history: Rutherford is named after Alexander Cameron Rutherford, Alberta's first premier, who also helped build the University of Alberta.

Want to know more about the area? Check out my Rutherford page, or browse all listings.

Your Next Step

You don't have to have it all figured out. If you're "just thinking about it," that's a perfect place to start. Book a quiet call and we'll talk it through at your pace.

Book a Free 30-Min Call

Like your real homies, I got your back!

DK THE REALTOR®

DK SHITTU, REALTOR® | LPT Realty

This post is general information only, not financial or legal advice.